BSF Jawan detained by Pakistan; returns to India after 20 days
Purnam Kumar Shaw, a constable in the Border Security Force (BSF), was returned to India on Wednesday morning after being held by Pakistan since April 23.
New Delhi (India) May 14: While on duty at the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab, Shaw unintentionally crossed into Pakistani territory and was caught by Pakistan Rangers on the afternoon of April 23.
A spokesperson told that, “Today at 1030 hours, Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw has been taken back from Pakistan by BSF at Attari-Wagah border. With the consistent efforts of BSF through regular flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and through other communication channels, the repatriation of BSF Constable has become possible.”
A Pakistan Rangers member who was arrested in India on May 3 at the Rajasthan border was also sent back to Pakistan on Wednesday, according to a senior government official.
Shaw was taken for a medical examination and interrogation after he returned.
According to a BSF official, there were no injuries or signs of torture.
Inspector General (IG), Punjab Frontier, BSF, Atul Fulzele said that,“The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols.”
A day after the terror attack in Pahalgam, the constable was arrested as he was in the Ferozepur sector, accompanying farmers outside the fence. Because the fence and border gates are located about 150 yards distant, farmers are permitted to grow ground all the way up to the zero line, the international boundary.
Shaw is a member of the 182 Battalion of the BSF, which is based in Punjab near the international border.
The state's 553-kilometer Indo-Pak border, which consists of 33 km of riverine terrain and 518 km of land, is protected by the BSF's Punjab Frontier. To prevent smuggling, drug trafficking, and cross-border infiltration, the area is guarded by several BSF battalions, a water wing unit, artillery, and other force multipliers.
Aadrika Tayal
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